FarrPoint have provided information that Telecom Providers in the UK are decommissioning their analogue services and are moving to fully digital networks. This means that analogue phone lines in residential and business premises are being replaced by digital equivalents, with an expectation of analogue switch off around 2024 In addition to the changes to the […]
Focus North, are conducting a survey to understand the current and future transport needs in the North of Scotland.We are reaching out to various individuals, organisations, and stakeholders in the region to gather valuable insights and feedback on the current state of public transportation services. The results of this survey will play a crucial role […]
West of Orkney Windfarm are hosting a supply chain event on Thursday 14th September at the Pentland Hotel, Thurso. If you’re a business in the #caithness and #sutherland area pop along and meet with industry experts, gain valuable insights and learn about new opportunities in the wind energy sector. Register at Eventbrite to secure your place: https://t.co/iAUbFCA0l1 […]
Focus North are delighted to welcome Nicola Sinclair to the team as Business Development Manager. Nicola’s objective will be to collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders, forging strong relationships with businesses, government entities and community organisations, to attract inward investment opportunities to our area. By forging strong partnerships and leveraging these relationships, Nicola will […]
Focus North are attending the Dounreay Supply Chain Event at the ETEC, North Highland College Thurso. It is an excellent opportunity for businesses to network and explore new opportunities for growth and collaboration. View our Presentation to the supply chain here: Focus North – 8 June Supply Chain event
West of Orkney Windfarm have a series of public consultation events starting 16th May in Thurso, through to 25th May in Stromness. The meetings will include feedback, updates, and an insight into environmental assessments. These are public meetings and everyone is welcome to attend. Further details of dates and venues here: Focus North – 8 […]
Is your organisation involved in the Space Sector? The survey below is open to any organisation that uses space as part of their day-to-day operations, including companies that build and launch satellites, use Earth observation data, or build software for the space sector. Take a moment to complete this survey conducted by Space Skills Alliance […]
Do you know any Scottish businesses who are considering exporting internationally or who want to build on their exporting experiences? The next cohort of the Scottish Development International (SDI) online learning and training workshops begins from May 2023. “Preparing to Export Programme” (P2E) workshops run from Thursday 18th May between 10:00 – 12:30. For further […]
The North Highland Initiative (NHI), on behalf of The Flow Country, are seeking a Consultant to advise and provide support to the Flow Country’s Green Finance Initiative (GFI) to help develop the organisation as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). Closing date for your proposal for this role, along with a timeline and relevant experience […]
Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) are the consortium partners, led by Highlands & Islands Airports (HIAL) looking at the potential for new aviation technologies in the region. Further information on the consortium partners, trials and project news check below: Sustainable Aviation Test Environment SATE YouTube
West of Orkney Windfarm would like to extend an invitation to attend their pre-application Consultation events. With an analysis on the feedback received so far during previous engagements and an update on the Project, the community consultation events will be quite insightful and informative.For further information on events near you, see here: WOW_PAC_Leaflet – digital […]
Focus North continues to work with partnering organisations on focusing our strategic priorities, in supporting our cultural and organisational changes, while we incorporate remote and flexible working. As we look towards future opportunities, here is an update relating to Focus North partnership activities.Caithness and Sutherland Newsletter The Caithness and Sutherland Newsletter is the new monthly newsletter delivered […]
Focus North continues to work with partnering organisations on focusing our strategic priorities, in supporting our cultural and organisational changes, while we incorporate remote and flexible working. As we look towards future opportunities, here is an update relating to Focus North activities and other items relevant to the area.Caithness Jobs and How to Get Them Caithness Jobs and […]
Focus North are looking to recruit a Business Development Manager who will deliver project development and identify Inward Investment Opportunities. More details here: http://ow.ly/P36g50MV4g3 Applicants please provide a CV and covering letter. Closing date: 10 March 2023
Focus North continues to work with partnering organisations on focusing our strategic priorities, in supporting our cultural and organisational changes, while we incorporate remote and flexible working. As we look towards future opportunities, here is an update relating to Focus North activities and other items relevant to the area.SCOTTISH CHILDMINDING PARTNERSHIP RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGNThe SCMA is running a major […]
Focus North Conference 2023 An interactive event exploring the exciting economic opportunities in the North of Mainland Scotland. Keynote Address – Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport. Master of ceremonies Nicky Marr – Broadcaster, magazine editor, event host, columnist and writer. A packed agenda which will also include: Speakers covering opportunities […]
Partners in the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership (CNSRP) have given a warm welcome to Simon Middlemas OBE, who takes over the role as CNSRP Independent Chair from Ian Ross. Simon Middlemas starts his three-year term at a time when there are numerous opportunities developing in the region. The spaceport development at the Moine […]
The Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership (CNSRP) has welcomed today’s announcement by The Highland Council that a contract has been awarded to Eastern Airlines to run scheduled flights between Wick and Aberdeen for three years. These flights will be supported by a Public Service Obligation (PSO), funded by Transport Scotland and The Highland Council. […]
CNSRP submitted a bid to the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) in March to host the fusion prototype site STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) in Caithness. We are now pleased to announce that the application made by the partnership has passed the show stopper assessment and is being included for further evaluation by UKAEA. […]
Partners in the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership (CNSRP) have given a warm welcome to Ian Ross as he takes over the role of Independent Chair from Sir Anthony Cleaver. Following a public recruitment campaign Ian Ross this week takes on a two-year contract as Independent Chair of CNSRP, as its partners continue to […]
http://news.hie.co.uk/all-news/caithness-firm-set-to-expand/
The CNSRP Advisory Board met on 21st June to discuss progress with the Partnership Programme, including the welcome news on Wick harbour being confirmed as the operation and maintenance base for the major Beatrice Offshore Windfarm development, and the encouraging progress with the NDA Archive project which is on course to receive its first archive […]
CNSRP Partners welcome skills investments Confidence in the area’s economic future is underpinned by investment in its future workforce – that was the message from members of CNSRP’s Advisory Board in their recent annual joint session with members of the CNSRP Executive Board. Members had heard during their meeting about the range of work going […]
At its recent meeting the Advisory Board of the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership discussed progress with the rollout of Next Generation (“superfast”) Broadband to Caithness & North Sutherland. Following recent discussions with Highlands and Islands Enterprise about timescales for the programme, members broadly welcomed the news that BT has started on work that […]
Speaking today (Monday 16th September) at a meeting of the Executive Board of Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership (CNSRP) Sir Anthony Cleaver, Chairman of the Partnership, has given a warm welcome for the announcement by Scottish Government that Meygen Limited has been given consent to build what will be Europe’s largest tidal stream development. […]
Eann Sinclair, CNSRP Programme Manager said “The partners in CNSRP are puzzled and disappointed by the statements made by GMB. The Thurso & Wick Trades Council represents all of the trades unions at work in the north, and is kept fully involved in the work of the Partnership. We believe that real progress has been […]
In 2005/06 the UKAEA and Highlands and Islands Enterprise jointly commissioned a report into the economic impact of Dounreay on the area’s economy. The report highlighted the extent to which dependence on Dounreay-related work continued to be important to the area’s economy. It also recommended that as decommissioning progressed a more concerted and coordinated effort […]
Wick Harbour Authority’s ambitious plans to attract new jobs to the area from the offshore wind industry have received a boost with the combined support of £450,000 from two partners in the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership (CNSRP).The Harbour Authority is positioning the port to attract business from the two large offshore wind developments […]
A CAITHNESS company has become the first manufacturing business in the north to win two Queen’s Awards. The success of KP Technology Ltd of Wick was described as “an exceptional achievement” by the Lord Lieutenant of Caithness, Anne Dunnett. To read the full article please go to http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/News/Hi-tech-firm-wins-second-Queens-Award-24042013.htm
Scrabster Harbour Trust has this week signed an agreement with the NorSea Group that it is hoped will lead to “major investment and new job prospects for the local economy.” Welcoming the news CNSRP Chairman Sir Anthony Cleaver said: “This major announcement gives a fantastic boost to our area’s prospects in the energy sector, and […]
(Stavanger/Scrabster 24 April 2013) NorSea Group and the Scrabster Harbour Trust in Caithness have just signed an agreement which will result in major investment and new job prospects for the local economy. Under the agreement NorSea Group will work with the Trust to bring in new business and develop Scotland’s most northerly mainland port as […]
Thurso-based energy consultancy Caithness Renewables has announced a new partnership with a leading small wind turbine manufacturer, Evance Wind Turbines. Evance, which has over 1,600 installations around the world, helps farmers, home owners, businesses and schools to become green energy producers. Following the opening of Caithness Renewables’ newly refurbished office in 2012, it has have […]
Commenting on the progress being made by a group of tourism businesses in Caithness and North Sutherland, CNSRP Programme Manager Eann Sinclair said: Much effort has gone into developing HIE’s “Ambitious for Tourism – Caithness & North Sutherland” programme, which was part of the wider partnership effort to diversify the area economy away from dependence […]
Commenting on the news this week that the application from Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd (MORL) had been passed without objection by Councillors on the North Planning Applications Committee of the Highland Council, CNSRP’s independent Chairman Sir Anthony Cleaver said “The development of offshore renewables sites in the Moray Firth is a significant source of potential […]
Press release – Partnership focus on skills for north workforces 24th December 2012 2013 will see increasing focus on developing the skills required to keep the north’s economy moving. That was the message from the recent meetings of the Advisory Board and Executive Board of the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership. 2012 has been […]
The Chairman of the north’s Regeneration Partnership has welcomed the interest shown this week by local people in the developments planned for the Pentland Firth and Orkney waters. Sir Anthony Cleaver, independent Chairman of the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, said “I’m delighted to hear that the first of the two Information Days held […]
Senior figures in the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership have given a warm welcome to this week’s news that the final 4 companies bidding to win the Scottish Government’s Saltire prize have been chosen, and that 3 of the 4 sites to be used are located off the coasts of Caithness and North Sutherland. […]
At this week’s first meeting of the Highland Council’s new Caithness & Sutherland Area Committee Highland Councillors discussed an update report on the progress being made by Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership (CNSRP). Responding to the support expressed at the meeting by the elected members CNSRP’s Chairman Sir Anthony Cleaver said: “The strength of […]
Speaking whilst attending yesterday’s launch in Thurso of the Pentland Firth & Orkney Waters Marine Energy Park, CNSRP Chairman Sir Anthony Cleaver said: “This announcement by UK Government Energy & Climate Change Minister Greg Barker is a very welcome boost to the profile of the north as a world-class centre for the testing and deployment […]
The new multi-million-pound engineering centre at North Highland College UHI in Thurso has reached a milestone. http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/News/8m-college-centre-close-to-completion-10062011.htm
More that
The Invest caithness website is now live at www.investcaithness.com
Tanker pier plan seen as key part of far north's bid to fin energy-related work http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1950172
Following the deadline of 28 May 2010 for expressions of interest and pre-qualification for a tidal energy project at the Inner Sound, The Crown Estate announced that it has invited four companies to tender. http://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/newscontent/92-inner-sound-tidal-project-tender.htm
Aspecialist manufacturer based in Wick which produces cameras for use in some of the most dangerous and inaccessible places on earth is focused on new opportunities after investing in cutting-edge equipment. http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/8220/Firm_s_expansion_idea_is_a_gem.html
http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/8145/Louise_working_to_promote_skills_in_the_energy_sector.html
http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/8137/Firms_join_forces_for_new_jobs.html
http://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/newscontent/92-pentland-firth-inner-sound.htm
http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Jenny-Hogan-An-exciting-new.6157457.jp
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/news/39Energy-bonanza39-to-power-750000.6157463.jp
http://www.hie.co.uk/default.aspx.locid-0finewmdp.Lang-EN.htm
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland/Revolutionary–Scots-power-turbine.6161098.jp
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1643257
http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/7822/Contest_begins_for_Dounreay_takeover.html
http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/7830/Upgrade_plans_for_iconic_Groats_hotel_are_revealed.html
The owners of the John O'Groats House Hotel have welcomed news of a masterplan for the area which, if completed in its entirety, could cost in the region of
Marine environmental consultancy Partrac has opened a new office in Forss, Caithness. http://social.tidaltoday.com/news/partrac-opens-new-office-thurso http://www.partrac.com/content/02_news_article.php?nid=102
The former Woolworths' stores in Thurso and Wick are scheduled to re-open as Ethel Austin shops in the next two weeks. http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/7207/
Marine energy developers from around the world converged on Caithness and Orkney at the invitation of the North Scotland Industries Group (NSIG) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). http://www.hie.co.uk/default.aspx.locid-0finewm6b.RefLocID-0fihiesvg008.Lang-EN.htm
John Swinney on Friday welcomed European approval for Scottish public sector bodies to have greater flexibility in providing support for business during the current economic downturn. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/02/13105400
Scotland's new Environment Minister officially took up her new post on Friday and spoke of her determination to play a leading role in creating a cleaner, greener Scotland. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/02/12171922
A photographer Mike McCartney's latest exhibition is to play a crucial role in promoting the Far North. http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/6082/Far_North_photography_exhibit_is_launched_in_Parliament.html
A “strategic alliance” has been formed to push forward a plan to use tidal energy to power a computer data centre in Caithness. http://www.atlantisresourcescorporation.com/news-press/scots-company-joins-tidal-project/
The Crown Estate has announced that the first stage of the process to allocate sites for wave and tidal renewable energy in the Pentland Firth strategic area is complete. http://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/newscontent/92-pentland-firth-tidal-energy-project-2.htm
Companies in Caithness are starting to gear up to service the new trade expected to flow from the first round of licensing marine turbines in the Pentland Firth. Speaking at the first of two seminars held to promote the opportunities, Highlands and Islands Enterprise's Louise Smith said a number of local firms have already planned […]
Former Woolworths branches in Wick and Thurso have been giving business leaders food for thought, and now plans are being considered to create indoor markets to utilise the empty stores.The idea has been put forward by the Caithness Chamber of Commerce, which is eager to find alternative uses for the now unoccupied premises. http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/6131/
A furniture making firm has become the first business in Sutherland to receive funding from the North Highland Regeneration Fund. http://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/5508/
A freephone advice line has been established by HIE to help the region's businesses through the current economic difficulties. The advice line will be available for a fixed period,during weekdays and Saturday mornings, staffed by trained advisers who will offer advice or, if required, direct enquirers to other agencies for more specific information. Clients may […]
Energy regulator Ofgem is proposing radical reforms to the regulatory framework for Britain's electricity transmission network to speed up the connection of renewable and other low-carbon electricity generation. http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Media/PressRel/Documents1/121208ofgem37.pdf
Trudy Morris has been appointed as new Chief Executive of the Caithness Chamber of Commerce, with funding provided by Highlands & Islands Enterprise. The revitalised Chamber will be a key partner in the regeneration process, and we all look forward to working with Trudy in her new role. http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/5966/New_chief_executive_at_chamber.html
The nuclear Decommissioning Authority today announced its timetable for competing the ownership of Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd. http://www.dounreay.com/news/2008-12-08/nda-competition-for-site-licence-company
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) today announced some newly available initiatives, with others soon to be put in place, to help the region's businesses through the current economic difficulties. http://www.hie.co.uk/default.aspx.locid-0finewm2c.RefLocID-0fihiesvg008.Lang-EN.htm